Mary

A name borne by seven women in the NT, unless two or more are identical. 1 Mary, the mother of Jesus. See Mary, The Virgin. 2 Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and Lazarus (Luke 10:38-39; John 11:1). She appears in (Luke 10:38-42), sitting at Jesus’s feet and listening as a disciple to his teaching. Martha objects that Mary has left her to serve alone, but Jesus commends Mary’s choice as “the better part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42). Also, in John’s Gospel, Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus’s feet with costly ointment and wipes them with her hair (John 12:1-3). Jesus defends her against Judas Iscariot’s objection that the ointment could have been sold and the money given to the poor (John 12:4-8). John also mentions this Mary as present with Martha at the death and raising of Lazarus (John 11:19-20, John 11:28-32). 3 Mary Magdalene, or “of Magdala,” mentioned first in every listing of Jesus’s female disciples (Matt 27:55-56; Matt 27:61; Matt 28:1; Mark 15:40-41; Mark 15:47; Mark 16:1; Luke 8:2-3; Luke 24:10). She seems to have been the leader of a group of women who “followed” and “served” Jesus constantly from the outset of his ministry in Galilee and who provided for Jesus’s ministry from their own means (Luke 8:1-3). She is also described as one “from whom seven demons had gone out” (Luke 8:2), indicating that she had been healed of some serious affliction. She is featured foremost as a witness to Jesus’s death (Matt 27:55-56; Matt 27:61; Mark 15:40-41; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:49; Luke 23:55-56, John 19:25) and to the empty tomb (Matt 28:1; Matt 28:6; Mark 16:1-6; Luke 24:1-3; Luke 24:10; John 20:1-2). She is commissioned to announce the news of Christ’s resurrection to the disciples (Matt 28:5-9; Mark 16:6-7; Luke 24:4-10). The nonhistorical tradition that Mary Magdalene had once been a prostitute derived from confusing her with the unnamed woman in (Luke 7:36-50). 4 Mary, the mother of James, or of James and Joses, or Joseph, or “the other Mary,” among the women disciples at the cross (Matt 27:55-56; Mark 15:40), with Mary Magdalene at the burial, empty tomb (Matt 27:61; Matt 28:1; Mark 15:47; Mark 16:1), and first appearance of the risen Christ (Matt 28:9). 5 Mary, the wife of Clopas, one of the women at the cross in (John 19:25), often taken to be the same as Mary the mother of James and Joses. 6 Mary of Jerusalem, whose home was used as a meeting place for Jesus’s followers after his death. Peter arrived at her house after his escape from prison (Acts 12:11-17). Mary’s son John, also known as Mark, accompanied Barnabas and Paul on some of their missionary travels (Acts 12:25; Acts 13:5; Acts 13:13; Acts 15:37-39). 7 Mary, one among many greeted by Paul in (Rom 16:1-16) and described as having “worked very hard among you” (Rom 16:6).

Luke 10:38-39

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary38Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.39She had a si ... View more

John 11:1

The Death of Lazarus1Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

Luke 10:38-42

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary38Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.39She had a si ... View more

Luke 10:42

42there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

John 12:1-3

Mary Anoints Jesus1Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.2There they gave a dinner for him. ... View more

John 12:4-8

4But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said,5“Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money gi ... View more

John 11:19-20

19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother.20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Ma ... View more

John 11:28-32

Jesus Weeps28When she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, and told her privately, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”29And when ... View more

Matt 27:55-56

55Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him.56Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Ma ... View more

Matt 27:61

61Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

Matt 28:1

The Resurrection of Jesus1After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

Mark 15:40-41

40There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.41These us ... View more

Mark 15:47

47Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.

Mark 16:1

The Resurrection of Jesus1When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint h ... View more

Luke 8:2-3

2as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,3and Joanna, the wife of ... View more

Luke 24:10

10Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles.

Luke 8:1-3

Some Women Accompany Jesus1Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve wer ... View more

Luke 8:2

2as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,

Matt 27:55-56

55Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him.56Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Ma ... View more

Matt 27:61

61Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

Mark 15:40-41

40There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.41These us ... View more

Mark 15:47

47Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.

Luke 23:49

49But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Luke 23:55-56

55The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid.56Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments ... View more

John 19:25

25And that is what the soldiers did.Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag ... View more

Matt 28:1

The Resurrection of Jesus1After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

Matt 28:6

6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.

Mark 16:1-6

The Resurrection of Jesus1When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint h ... View more

Luke 24:1-3

The Resurrection of Jesus1But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared.2They found the ston ... View more

Luke 24:10

10Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles.

John 20:1-2

The Resurrection of Jesus1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed ... View more

Matt 28:5-9

5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said ... View more

Mark 16:6-7

6But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place ... View more

Luke 24:4-10

4While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them.5The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but ... View more

Luke 7:36-50

A Sinful Woman Forgiven36One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table.37And a woman ... View more

Matt 27:55-56

55Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee and had provided for him.56Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Ma ... View more

Mark 15:40

40There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.

Matt 27:61

61Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

Matt 28:1

The Resurrection of Jesus1After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

Mark 15:47

47Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.

Mark 16:1

The Resurrection of Jesus1When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint h ... View more

Matt 28:9

9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.

John 19:25

25And that is what the soldiers did.Meanwhile, standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Mag ... View more

Acts 12:11-17

11Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish peopl ... View more

Acts 12:25

25Then after completing their mission Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem and brought with them John, whose other name was Mark.

Acts 13:5

5When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John also to assist them.

Acts 13:13

Paul and Barnabas in Antioch of Pisidia13Then Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and returne ... View more

Acts 15:37-39

37Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.38But Paul decided not to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied the ... View more

Rom 16:1-16

Personal Greetings1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae,2so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saint ... View more

Presented by:

Bible Odyssey has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.